Spring pitman



sept. s, 192s. M 1,552,903

A, E. WILLIS ET AL.

SPRING PITMAN Filed Sept. 9. 1924 mdf/@QM Patented Sept. 8, 1925..

UNITED STATES Farrar ermee.

ARTHUR E. WILLIS AND REUIBEN M. WILLIS, O'F GHANUTE, KANSAS.

SPRING PITMAN.

Application led September 9, 1924. Serial No. 736,799.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that we, ARTHUR E. l/VILLrs and REUBEN M. W'rLLrs, citizens of the United Sta-tes, residing at Chanute, in the county of Neosho and State of Kansas, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Spring Pitmen, of which the following is a specification.

This invention appertains to drilling rigs and more particularly to the pitman for operating the walking beam thereof.

The primary object of the invention is to provide an improved pitman for connection with the walking beam of a drilling machine which is so constructed as to cushion the j ar between the walking beam and the operating crank of the machine when the wrist pin on the crank of the machine starts on its downward stroke and when the weight of the line and tools is on the walking beam, thereby effectively reducing the vibration of the whole machine and enhancing the life thereof.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cushioned pitman rod ofthe above character embodying means for preventing rebound of the pitman after the cushioning of the jar, so as to effectively eliminate all vibration of the pitman rod.

A further object of the invention is topro vide a novel pitman embodying a sliding block to which the wrist pin4 of the drive crank is connected, the block being cushioned by suitable spring means at its upper and lower ends to effectively eliminate shock and rebound.

A further object of Vthe invention is `to provide an improved pitman of the above character which is particularly adapted for use when drilling with a wire line, but which is acceptable for use when drilling with a flexible rope line, the pitman being so constructed as to be durable and eliicient in use,` simple and easy to manufacture, and to permit the same to be placed upon the market and incorporated with a drilling machine at a small cost.

Vith these and other objects in view, the invention consists in the no'vel construction, arrangement and formation of parts, as will be hereinafter more specifically described, claimed, and ilustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation of the improved pitman showing parts thereof brokl en away, and

Figure 2 is an edge elevation of the same showing parts thereof broken away.

Referring to the drawings in detail, wherein similar reference characters desigw nate corresponding parts throughout the several views7 the letter A generally indicates the improved pitman rod, which comprises an upper solid wooden block 5 to which is secured the iron stirrup 6, which fastens on top of the walking beam' 7 under the tail board 8 thereof. This solid wooden block 5 has bolted thereto as at 9 the frame 10 which can be formed of strap iron or the like. As shown this frame 10 depends from the wooden block 5 and has slidably mount'- ed therein the solid wooden slide block 11, the purpose of which, will be hereinafter more fully described. The frame 10 embodies side plates 12, a connecting bottom plate 13, and a connecting top plate 111. As

clearly shown in the drawings the side plates i 12 gradually converge inwardly toward each other and towards the ends of the top plate 14. The lower end of the solid slide block 11 rests upon a at metal plate 15 which is supported by a plurality of relatively heavy springs 16 which rest upon the lower plate 13 of the frame 10. These springs 16 constitute the cushion springs for reducing the shock during the initial raising of the line and tool. In order to protect the springs and hold the same in position retaining plates 17 are bolted to the edges of the frame 10 asv clearly shown in the drawings. The

upper end of the wooden slide block has fitted on its upper surface a metal wear plate 18 supporting a plurality of relatively heavy springs 19 which constitute the rebound springs. The upper ends of `the springs 19 have resting on the same a wear plate 2O as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings.

IThe upper and lower springs 16 and 19 are preferably packed with grease to keep the same well lubricated and to prevent deterioration thereof by crystallization.

A wedge key 21 formed either of wood or iron is provided for adjusting the tension of the springs and the side plates 12 of the frame 10 are provided with openings 22 for receiving the wedge and the lower surface of the wedge is adapted to rest upon the wear plate 2O as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawings. It so desired the lower face of the solid upper wooden block 5 may be beveled to conform to the wedge ,tace of the key 21.

The wrist pin 25 of the drive crank 26 is adapted to be received between suitable upper and lower bearing blocks 27 and 28. As shown the lower bearing block 28 is secured rigidly in place to the slide block 11 by the use of suitable bolts or the like 29, the terminals of which are countersunk within the slide block. The upper bearing block 27 is slidably mounted within the slide block 11 and is adapted to be held in place by a wedge key 29 which extends through suitable openings 30 formed in the side plates 12 of the trame 10 and the slide block 11 is provided with an opening for receiving the same. Then it is desired to remove the wrist pin 25 it is merely necessary to remove the wedge key 29 from its place and the upper bearing block 27 will be raised through the medium of a spring 31 having its lower end fastened to the block 27 and its upper end to the slide block 11.

In operation of the improved pitman rod, all ar and the like will be taken up by the springs 16 and rebound will be prevented by the springs 19. It thus can be seen that the slide block 11 is cushioned at both of its ends. As stated the pitman is particularly adapted to be used with wire lines and when the pitman is used with wires lines no ill effect will be'noted and will give the same results as if rope were being used.

Ii rope is being used instead of wire lines a bolt 35 can be utilized for holding the slidev block against movement and as shown this bolt 35 extends through the side plates 12 of the frame 10 and through the slide block l1 holding the same against movement relative to the frame.

Changes in details may be made without departing from the spirit or the scope of this invention, but l What we claim as new is:

1. A pitman rod comprising an solid wooden block, a frame receiving the block and secured thereto and depending therefrom, a walking beam receiving stirrup secured to the block extending above the frame, a slide block slidably mounted within the frame and disposed above the upper block, akset or" cushioning springs arranged between the lower end of the slide block and the frame, means retaining the springs in position, an upper set oi' rebound springs arranged on the upper face of the slide block, a wear plate disposed on the upper end of the rebound springs, a wedge key disposed intermediate the wear plate and the upper solid block for tensioning the springs, and bearing blocks carried by the slide block for receiving the wrist pin oi a drive crank.

2. A cushioned pitman rod for use in well drilling machines comprising a solid upper block, a hollow frame receiving the block and depending therefrom, means for rigidly comiecting the block with the trame, a stirrup connected to the block and extending above the frame, a slide block slidably mounted within the frame below the upper block, cushioning springs arranged between the lower end of the slide block and the frame, means :tor retaining the springs in position, a wear plate on the upper end ot the slide block, a set ot rebound springs disposed upon the wear plate, a top wear plate fitted upon the upper ends of the rebound springs, a wedge key disposed intermediate the top wear plate and the upper solid block, a lower bearing block rigidly carried by the slide block, an upper bearing block slidably carried by the slide block, the bearing blocks being adapted to receive a wrist pin of a drive crank shaft, means for normally tending to raise the upper slide bearing block, and a wedge key slidably associated with the frame for engaging the yslide block and the sliding upper bearing block.

In testimony whereof we ai'iX our signatures.

ARTHUR E. WILLIS. REUBEN lvl. lWILL-IS 

